Follow the listing and instructions
Follow the listing and instructions
The Ideal 65 (purple) wirenuts ARE for use with aluminum and copper splices as limited by the instructions - it's that simple. The tested combinations are the only ones approved, but you can be a bit creative. Need to splice 2 aluminum #10s ? Then also include one of the approved copper conductors, and then cap the copper pigtail.
The pictured failure of an Ideal 65 wirenut I saw on the competitor's website, was of a connection made in violation of the Ideal 65's rated uses. Any incorrectly applied/installed device is subject to failure.
There are three critical issues for the old aluminum conductors : 1) The alloy used back then was not strong enough to be as reliable (as resistant to cold-flow) as modern aluminum conductor alloys, 2) Termination in a non-aluminum rated compression termination leads to cold-flow due to widely differing expansion rates, and ultimate cascade failure of the connection, 3) Failure to use an oxide protection compound left the raw aluminum subject to surface oxidation - and aluminum oxide is an excellent insulator.
Small gauge conductors within the Ideal 65's range and count may be spliced with a reasonable level of confidence - BUT - good workmanship is key. Also, the stripping of the aluminum conductor must absolutely be done without nicking the wire with a cut !!
All other aluminum conductors must use modern lugs designed for use with aluminum, must be installed in accordance with the instructions, and must use an oxide protection compound as instructed. Caution - some now very old lugs were erroneously rated AL/CU when it was thought that only the copper-to-aluminum metal connection was the problem; these were made with tinned copper/bronze and WILL FAIL.
